This is my first post here been a lurker for a while really enjoyed the forum, and learned a lot, now if my wife would just let me wheel her 4 runner.
However, I must disagree with what most people had told you concering salvage title vechiles.
First off how many people downing them have ever actually owned one? What are telling you myth and rumor.
Well I will give you facts, since I have owned 3 salvage title vechicles. This includes 2001 4WD 4 runner sr5 we bought for my wife's dailly driver in 2003.
First off her's had about 32,000 miles it had been rear ended, the air bigs did not deploy and was rebuilt by a local guy. He only rebuilds late model tacoma's and 4 runners. So I know it was done right. He also had pictures taken when he brought it in to fix, (it is helpful to see these, so you can thoughly inspect for damage) The 4 runner was fixed right and also in 100% perfect condition. It looked brand new, and you could not tell the rear lift gate, window, tow bar, and bumper had all been replaced.
We paid $15,000 cash (this was about May 2003) and have had the car about 1.5 years it now has about 70k trouble free miles on it.
I personally will gladly buy another salvage title vechile if the price is right.
My other two salvage vechiles a 94 jeep cherokee, and a 00 jeep cherokee have been excellent has well. In fact I traded in the 94 to the 00 and paid $9,500 cash differece. (the 94 had 140,000 miles at trade, while the 01 a cherokee limited, had 17k miles) both were 4wd. They guy I traded them primarily rebuilds and deals in jeep cherokees and wranglers. (he also sells extended warranties.) So yes you can get a warranty for a salvage title vechicle. In fact a bumper to bumper 4 year extend warranty with a $50 dedcutable for my salvage title jeep cherokee limited. Was an additional $800. (I did not buy it)
I have had this jeep since July 2001 and it now has 110k miles (many offroad) and it still runs great, although the body is beat up pretty bad.
Another myth is you can't trade them in on anything. That is not true at most dealers. I traded my last jeep in and if you look on ebay you will see many dealers selling traded in salvage title vechiles on there all the time. Of course your not going to get kbb trade in value. but you did not pay anywhere near book value when you bought the car originally so who cares. You will still come out way better than new car or even used car depreciation
If your like me, and always save up and pay cash when you buy a car, and then you plan on driving that car into the ground or at least putting very high miles on it, a property researched salvage title vechicle is a great way to go. (I just don't tell my neighbor's thats the way I buy them
If you can see pics of the car's original damage, and the work looks good I would buy it, as that's a great price for a very reliable vechicle. And even if something did tear up it would take a lot of repairs to equal all the money you saved by getting rebuilt title. I bet if you had to put a new engine in it you would still be way ahead.
Also my Insurance Agent told me a while back that about 10-12% of vechiles on the road today are either salvage title, flood damage, or theft recovery. So buying one is pretty common.
If you live anywhere near KY I would be happy to give you the name and the number of the rebuilder we bought my wife's 4 Runner from, he's a great guy.
Good luck.
